Gas stove burner control mechanism



1943- R. BESOCKE 2,327,589

GAS STOVE BURNER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l WEE k glwucn km Aug. 24, 1943.

R. BEsoc E 2,327,589 GAS S TOVE BURNER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12. 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug.24, 1943. YR. BESOCKE 2,327,589

GAS STOVE BURNER CONTROL MECHANISM Fil ed Feb. 12, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug. 24, 1943 GAS STOVE BURNER CONTROL MECHANESM Richard Besocke, Arcadia, Caliii, assigncr of eighty per cent to John E". Frank, i llrcadia,-

Calif.

Application February 12, 1940, Serial No. 318,507

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a gas stove burner control device, and is more particularly related to a mechanism adapted to be operatively connected between a burner cover and the gas supply valves to enable the gas supply valves tobe locked in closed position except when the cover is raised on of the burner.

Gas stoves as they are now commonly con structed include burner covers which are mounted on the top of the gas stove in such manner as to permit the same to be moved over or to be lowered into position over the gas burners. These covers are generally formed of sheet metal upon which enamel is commonly baked.

When the covers are lowered over the gas burners, they completely close the stove from the top and directly over the burners so that if any one of the burners is ignited, either when the cover is lowered or after the cover has been lowered into position, burning of the cover results with consequent warping of the sheet metal thereof, causing disfiguration and burning of the enamel coating. In addition to this, most gas stoves as they are now manufactured are provided with automatic pilot lights of one character or another which are intended to ignite the gas when the burner valve is open to permit gas to ilow through the burner. Should the cover be lowered and the gas valve opened, there results a distinct hazard from thiscombination of elements, de-, pendent particularly upon the time when the pilot lighting mechanism operates to ignite the gas permitted to flow through the burner. If the pilot light does not operate to immediately light the gas, which often occurs, there is a danger of forming an explosive mixture under the cover which will then be ignited by the pilot with consequent explosion of the said explosive mixture. As most of these stoves are utilized in homes, the

danger of opening a gas valve with the cover closed is always present, particularly where there are children or where the stove is mountedin such place that a person passing the stove may strike one of the valve handles to open the same. Even where no actual dangerous results follow, the burning of the gas burner covers sodestroys the said covers as to require the replacement of the covers if the appearance of the stove is to be maintained.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mechanism applicable for attachment to stoves or applicable for installation in the stoves as manufactured which will insure that all of the gas valves are closed and remain closed when the burner cover is moved to position to cover the burners. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism for locking closed the gas valves in all positions of the gas burner cover except its open position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism for locking closed the gas valves for.

supplying the gas to gas burners which is so constructed as to prevent lowering of, or moving the burner cover into position over the burners except when the gas valves are all closed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism adapted for looking all the gas valves of a stove closed which is operatively associated with the burner cover in such manner as to prevent lowering of said cover over the gas burners except when all the gas valves ar closed, and which includes a means adapted to hold the cover in elevated position in the event aneffort ismade to close the said cover over the'burners with a gas valve open and which retains the cover in elevated position even when an open gas valve is closed to prevent the cover from dropping into position on the closing of the open gas valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the class hereinabove set forth which is applicable for mounting in a gas stove as aunit economically and efiiciently without requiring material reorganization of the stove and gas control valves or any other part of the stove.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gas stove to which the control mechanism embodying my in vention has been adapted.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a iragmental elevation of the control mechanism embodying my invention illustrating the same as adapted to a fragment of a stove and showing the mechanism in position with the cover open to permit the gas control valves to b actuated to supply gas to the stove burners.

Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating the retention of the stove cover in elevated position when it is attempted to lower the cover with a valve open.

.Figure 5 is a similar View illustrating the closing of the stove cover when all valves controlling the supply of gas to the burners are closed.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially n the line 'l'! of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 4.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I have indicated a stove l which may be of any suitable or desirable construction or of any of the well known forms now commonly sold. The stove l is commonly provided with a multiplicity of burners 2 which, in the present instance, are gas burners spaced apart and controlled by gas valves 3 mounted in the gas supply line 4 to control admission of the gas to the burners 2.

The gas valves 3 commonly have valve stems 5 projecting from the forward face of the stove l and having actuating handles 6 secured thereto. One such valve and operating handle is provided for each burner 2.

The stoves as commonly manufactured include a pilot light mechanism generally indicated at 1 whereby gas emitting from each of the burners 2 may be lighted automatically upon opening of its corresponding valve 3.

In order to enhance the appearance of the stoves, and also kitchens inwhich they are positioned, such stoves are now commonly-provided with covers 8 which may be lowered over the upper surface of the stoves I and over .the burners 2. These covers 8, of which there may be one or more, are connected with the stoves l in a multiplicity of different ways and I have not attempted in this applicationto illustrate the numerous ways in which the covers may be supported with respect to the stoves I but for the purpose of illustration have chosen that form wherein the covers 8 are hingedly supported as indicated at 9. at the back of the stove I. It will be apparent, however, from the hereinafter contained description that my invention is equally susceptible to any other form of'moimting of the covers 8 as long as the covers 8 have a movement with respect to the stove I so that this movement of the cover may be utilized to actuate the control mechanism embodying my invention.

The control mechanism embodying my invention includes a lock bar it which is adapted to be moved into and out of position with respect to all of the burner control valves 3 or their actuating mechanisms so as to prevent'opening of these valves 3 except when the cover 8 overlying such burners 2 has been elevated or moved from such overlying position. In the particular form of construction illustrated, the lock bar I53 is shown as including a plurality of locking detents ll adapted to engage lock pins l2 secured to the valve stems 5. As illustrated, the lock bars I!) are formed with the locking detents H formed offset from the face of the locking bars I it and the locking bar i6 is pivotally supported on pivots [3 carried by brackets M secured to the frame or plate element l5 of the stove I. Thus it will be apparent that when the locking bar lis pivoted on the pivots IS, the locking detents II will be moved away from position to engage the lock pins l2 carried by the valve stems 5. It will also be apparent that there is only one position of'the locking bars I!) in which the locking pins IE will pass into the locking detents l I and that there is only one position of the valve stems 5 which is the closed position of the said valves where the lock bar I0 may be rotated to lower the same so that the pins l2 will pass into the detents H. The locking bar It is adapted to be actuated by an actuating rod it pivotally secured thereto as indicated at H.

Means are provided for actuating the rod 13 to move the locking bar Hi to and from locking position and this actuating mechanism is of such an organization and construction as to be of unit construction and of such operation as to have the distinct functions of preventing the lowering of any cover or lid 8 unless the valves 3 controlling the burners 2 which would be covered by that lid are closed; of looking all the said valves 3 closed when the lid 8 is over the burners 2 controlled by the saidvalves 3 and of preventing dropping of the lids 8 into position when it is endeavored to lower the said lid 3 and it is found the valve 3 is open by the mere closing of the open valve. In order to accomplish these results, the covering mechanism includes a plate l3 which is adapted to support the actuating mechanism as a unit construction, and this plate would then be mounted in its appropriate position upon a frame or plate member N3 of the stove l by any suitable securing means as, for example, by means of,

suitable bolts or the like.

Carried on the plate is is control means including a striker bar or lever 28 which is pivotally supported upon the fixed pivot 2!. The striker member 20 is yieldably urged by means of a spring 22 into position where it will be engaged by a complementary striking arm 23 actuated by the cover 8 when moved to its open position. In the form illustrated, the striker arm 23 is pivoted at 2 1 and is connected by a link 25 with the cover 8, so that when the striker arm 23 swings up with the cover, its end engages the edge of the striker lever 20 and pushes this lever into its position illustrated in Fig. 3. This causes rod is to withdraw lock-bar it. from the pins 12, leaving the burner handles 6 free for operation.

The return spring 22 operates to move the; striker member 20 and hence the lock bar l0 and its operating rod it which is connected thereto, back to the locking position, in. which position the parts normally remain except when the striker arm 23 has been engaged by the striker member 28 to move the same against the force exerted by-the spring 22 to move the rod Hi to open the lock bar l0, as described above. That is the position indicated in Figure 3. The end of the striker arm 23 is preferably beveled off on its upper edge as shown in the drawings.

The striker member 20 is connected by means of a link 23 with a striker arm or bumper .mem ber 21. The stop member or pawl 2'! is pivoted on a pin 28 upon the plate 18. The bumper member 27 is a stop pawl and is the means in the combination for engaging end 29 of the striker arm 23 which prevents the lowering of the lid 8 beyond the position as illustrated in Figure 4 when a valve 3 is found open. Thus it will be observed that with the parts in'the posi- I tion as illustrated in Figure v3, that the cover 8 may be lowered to the position indicated in Figure 4 but that when so lowered, the closing of the cover is obstructed, as the bumper member or stop 21 prevents further lowering of the lid 8 if a valve is open, preventing the lock 'bar ,Hl moving to locking position. Due to the Weight of the cover, the engagement of the engaging and 29 with the bumper arm or stop Elissufiicient to hold the partsin the position illustrated in Figure 4 against the force exerted by the spring 22 even after the valve handle of every by the hinge 9.

open valve 3 has been rotated to its closed position, and. this would prevent the cover 8 from dropping into closed position. When, however, the cover 8 is raised suihciently to disengage the end 29 from the bumper bar 21, the spring 22 pulls the striker member 2d and hence through the link 26 of the bumper member 27 to the position indicated in Figure 5, moving the lock bar iii to the locking position so that the lid may then be lowered over the burner 2.

It will be apparent that as the locking pins i2 are now engaged within the locking detents l I that no valve 3 can be opened with the cover closed.

It will be noted that the plate i8 is formed with a stop flange 39 which engages the striker arm 23 when the cover 8 ismoved to the fully open position beyond its center as determined to the position indicated in Figure 3 moves the bumper bar 2? into the position to engage the bumper end 29 by causing the striker member 2i! to be rotated around its pivot 21 in a direction to throw the bumper member 2'! in the path of the engaging end 29 of the striker arm 23.

' Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the .full scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i

1. In combination with a stove having a plurality of gas burners, means for supplying gas to the burners including valve members and a cover for closing the stove over the burners, of a control means for controlling the said valves permitting their opening only with the cover in raised position, said control means comprising a multiple lock bar adapted to lock the valves in closed position, means for movably supporting the said lock bar to permit the same to be moved to and from engaging position, actuating means for said lock bar moved by the cover when it moves, means interposed between the lock bar and said actuating means, including a striker member connected with the lock bar for actuating the same, means to normally hold the lock bar in looking position, the striker member being pivotally supported in position to be'engaged by said actuating means to move the lock bar to disengaged position when the cover is raised,

and means including a movable stop operably associated with said striker member and moved thereby into position to prevent lowering of the cover by engagement with the said actuating means.

2. In a stove, the combination of a plurality of burners and valves, a hinged cover to swing down over the burners, a locking bar having means for engaging and locking the valve to prevent their being opened, a spring for holding the locking bar in its locking position when the cover is down, cover-actuated means attached to the cover, a stop pawl, means connecting the same to the lock bar with means associated with the stoppawl and located in the path of the cover-actuated means when the cover is being raised, and

moved thereby for overcoming the spring and moving the locking bar to its unlocked position, said stop pawl operating to project into the path of the cover-actuated means when the cover starts to move down, for stopping the cover unless all the valves are closed, so as to permit the locking bar to move to its closed position.

3. In safety apparatus for preventing the clos- The act of opening the cover 3 ing of a stove cover over its burners if any burner is turned on, the combination of a plurality of handles corresponding respectively to the different burners for turning them on, a movable lock-bar common to all of said handles, said handles and said lock-bar having interlocking means, and said lock-bar normally resting in a locking position for preventing all the burners from being turned on, said interlocking means constructed so that if any handle is in its on position the lock-bar cannot move into its looking position, a hinged cover, control means located adjacent the hinged portion of the cover, actuated by the openingmovement or" the cover, with means connecting the same to said lockbar for withdrawing the lock-bar from its locking position when the cover is raised to its open position; and means other than the lock-bar located adjacent the hinged portion of the cover, and associated with said control means for pre venting the closing of the cover if any of the handles is in its on position.

4. In safety apparatus for preventing the clasing of a stove cover over its burners if any burner is turned on, the combination of a plurality of handles corresponding respectively to the difierent burners for turning them on, a movable lock-bar common to all of said handles, said handles and said lock-bar havin interlocking means, a spring normally holding the lock-bar in a-locking position for preventing all the burners from being turned on, said interloc means constructed so that if any handle is in its on position the lock-bar cannot move into its locking position, a hingedly mounted cover, control means actuated by the opening movement of the cover and connected to said lock-bar for withdrawing the lock-bar from its locking position when the cover is moved from its closed position to its open position; and means located adjacent the hinged portion of the cover, associated with said control means operating to obstruct the closing movement of the cover adjacent its hinged portion without imparting movement to the lock-bar if any of the handles is in its on position,

5. In safety apparatus for preventing the closing of a stove cover over its burners if any burner is turned on, the combination of a plurality of handles corresponding respectively to the different burners for turning themon, a movable lock-bar common to all of said handles, said handles and said lock-bar having interlocking means, and said lock-bar normally resting in a locking position for preventing all the burners from being turned on, said interlocking means constructed so thatif any handle is in its on position the lock-bar cannot be returned to its locking position, a movably mounted cover, a striker arm connected to the cover so as to move when the cover is moved to its open position, control means actuated by the striker arm in the opening movement of the cover and connected to said lock-bar for withdrawing the lock-bar from its locking position, a movable stop connected with the control means and operating during the opening movement of the cover, to

project itself into the path of the striker arm, and operating, if it is attempted to close the cover, to stop the same if any handle is in its on position, and a return spring for returning the control mechanism and the lock-bar when all of the handles are in a position'to permit the return of the lock-bar, said spring also moving the control means to pull the movable stop out of the path of the striker arm.

6. In safety apparatus for preventing the closing of a stove cover over its burners if any burner is turned on, the combination, of a plurality of handles corresponding respectively to the difierent burners for turning them on, a movable lockbar common to all of said handles, said handles and said lock-bar having interlocking means, and said lock-bar normally resting in a locking position for preventing all the burners from being turned on, said interlocking means constructed so that if any handle is in its on position the lock-bar cannot move into its locking position, a movably mounted cover, a striker arm connected ,to the cover so as to move when the cover is moved to its open position, including a strikerleverilocated in the path of movement of the striker arm when the cover is raised, a link connecting the striker-lever With the lock-bar for Withdrawing the lock-bar from the handles to free them for turning on, a stop-pawl connected with the striker-lever and operated thereby so as to be projected into the path of the striker arm to obstruct its return movement, thereby preventing the closing of the cover; and a spring associated withthe striker-lever for pushing the lock-bar back into its locking position'when all the handles have been turned to their "off position, said spring also operating the control means to Withdraw the stop-pawl from the path of the striker arm to permit the closing of the cover thereafter.

7. In safety apparatus for preventing the closing of a stove cover over its burners if any burner is turned on, the combination of a plu-' rality of handles corresponding respectively to the different burners for turning them on, a movable lock-bar common to all ofsaid handles, said handles and said lock bar having interlocking means, and said lock-bar normally resting in a locking position for preventing all the burners from being turned on, said interlocking means constructed so that if any handle is in its on 1 position the lock-bar cannot be returned to its locking position, a movably mounted cover, a

striker arm connected to the cover so as to move when the cover is moved to its open position, control means actuated by the striker arm in the opening movement of the cover and connected to said lock-bar for Withdrawing the lock-bar from its locking position, a spring mounted so as to exert its force in a direction to return the lockbar to its locking position, a pivoted stop connected to the control means and operating during the opening movement of the cover to be moved by the control means so as to project its end face into the path of the striker arm to stop the striker,

arm in the closing movement of the cover, and thereby obstruct the closing movement of the cover; the movement of the control means when the spring returns the lock-bar to its locking position, operating to Withdraw the pivoted stop from the path of the striker arm to permit completion of the closing movement of the cover. RICHARD BESOCKE. 

